Means for the axial balancing of rotating bodies.



No. 800,011. BKTENTED: SEPT. 19, 1905.

MEANS FOR THE AXIAL EALENGINGL DEE RQT ATING BOEDIES. mz z mmmo m 211 .31). MAY a, mm...

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MEANS FOR THE AXIAL BALANCING OF ROTATING BODIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Application filed May 3, 1903. Serial No. 156,810.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHURPATSOHKE, mechanical engineer, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Miilheim-on-tlie-Ruhr, Rhenish Prussia, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain newand useful Improvements Relating to Means for the Axial Balancing of Rotating Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for completely balancing the weight or pressure of upright or horizontal rotating bodies. The upright arrangement may be adapted to rotary steam-dynamos, turbines, and the like in order to counterbalance the friction of the shaft and of the parts mounted thereonsuch as rotary cranks, fly-weights, and the like due to their Weight in such a manner that not the least friction is transmitted to the shaft of the steam-engine, turbine, or other motor. The horizontal arrangement may be utilized for ships shafts, for example, in order to counterbalance the very considerable friction .ments thereon.

exerted upon the engines owing to the pressure of the screw. Two means are utilized to this end-that is to say, a fluid under pressuresuch, for example, as condensation water under steam or accumulator pressure-or some other suitable fluid and also a spring, the tension of which is rendered as astatic as possible.

In the accompanying drawing this arrangement is represented in vertical section as applied, by way of example, to the balancing of a vertical rotary shaft. This shaft W is provided at its upper part with a hoop W, furnished with two or more packing-rings D of an appropriate kind, which rings are not, however, indispensable. These rings serve to make a tight joint with a ring D surrounding the hoop. This latter ring runs in step-bearing grooves (Z, formed in the casing A, surrounding the shaft VV. Through the ring D passes a screw-bolt N, the point N of which enters a vertical longitudinal groove in the hoop W, so that the ring D must necessarily rotate with the hoop W, but is at the same time capable of slight longitudinal displace- In order to secure the bolt from coming loose, a ring or strap R is passed around the ring D, or some other convenient device may be employed to effect the same purpose. Below the hoop W the shaft is surrounded by another similar ring D This ring likewise runs in step-bearing grooves 42 of a .special packing-body B and is also furnished already referred to.

with a screw-bolt, the point N of which enters a vertical longitudinal groove in the shaft W, so that the ring D must rotate with the shaft, but is able to effect slight longitudinal displacements on the shaft. In order to se cure the bolt from becoming loose, in this case also a ring or strap R is passed around D or here again any other suitable means may be employed. Lower down still the shaft W is provided with rings K, which are inclosed in the bearing K of a body B, composed of two sections surrounding the lower part of the shaft W in such a manner that in the middle operative position play a" and 2' exists above and below each ring K, so that in this position the cam-rings do not touch the body B. This body B is mounted on balls K which run in ball-races in the body B.

The body B is in two parts and is prevented from rotating in the casing Aby means of a screw-bolt N the point of which engages in a vertical longitudinal groove in B, rendering slight vertical displacements of B possible. The upper part of the body B (the annular piston D is packed above the body B against the casingA by means of rings D*. It receives the step-bearing grooves (Z for the ring D The lower portion of the body B is hollowed out for the reception of the upper portion of a spiral spring F. The lower end of this spring bears upon the cover of the rotary steam-engine or other support M. y

The inlet p for the admission of the pressure fluid 0 between the hoop W and the body B should also be mentioned, and also the outlet (1 for this fluid; further, the inlet 8 for.

the admission of lubricating-oil to the ballbearings K The pressure P of the liquid 0 entering through p acts upon the hoop W in the upward direction, and thus raises the weight P of the rotary masses. At the same time the fluid exerts a pressure P in the downward direction on the annular piston B which carries the bearing K and the ball-bearing K The pressure-face of the annular piston B is equal to the pressure-face of the hoop W, so that P P The spring F presses with a force P* against the pressure P equal to the weight P of the rotary masses, so that P: P P -";P*. Consequently by appropriately selecting the pressure of the fluid O the bearings are free from friction. If the pressure of the fluid is less than the pressure of the weight, the difference of pressure is taken up by the spring F through the bearings, so that PP P*P Consequently longitudinal expansions of the shaft caused by heat, slight axial displacements, or wear in the bearings can neither affect the balancing nor the efficient action of the bearings. The bearings are therefore always ready to compensate for differences of pressure or, if necessary, the whole weight, and this without even a very small alteration in the position of the rotating masses being necessary, and, further, no prejudicial influence can be exerted by vibration of the shaft. The bearings therefore invariably prevent the loading of any other places by the rotating masses, and this when the balancing varies a little only from the complete balancing which it is intended to obtain What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rotatable shaft having a ing the ring, automatically-adjustable means surrounding the shaft below the flange to form a bearing for the shaft, and means for coun terbalancing a shaft on the bearings.

2. In combination with a rotary shaft, having an annular rim, a casing therefor adjustable means on said rim and engaging the easing to form a bearing, means surrounding the shaft below the rim to form automatically-adjustable bearings for the shaft, and means for admitting fluid-pressure in the casing to counterbalance the said shaft.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of April, 1903.

' ARTHUR PATSCHKE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM ESSENWEIN, PETER LIEBER. 

